Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-10-14
lie BRArTLEBORO FRIDAY OCTOBER A. 1887

should thus refuse, who would not regard
the chances Of Republican success as
greatly improved Yet, what does all
this measure but the strength Of the re
form aud independent sentiment which, in
four years has made Mr.. Cleveland the
most powerful political parsonage in the
land, and made it impossible for any man
with Mr. Blainc's theories to he President
II is fact worthy Of notice that every
Republican, except Mr.. Blaine, whois thought
to have a chance Of being nominated for the
presidency Senator Allison, Senator Haw-
ley Senator Harrison, Senator Sherman, Mr.
Lincoln, Judge Gresham among them-is
in the most public manner pledged TO the
cause of civil service reform VERY mildly,
however the Ohio Senator), and not this
alone, but the Republicans Of the states OF
each Of them are in like manner pledged,
rs are also the Republicans OF New York
and Massachusetts to the same effect But
how different is the fact in Mr. Blaine's
state and i'm Pennsylvania, where two OF
the most partisan Senators of the country
seem to hold the Republicans for Mr.. Blaine
and have enioined silence on the question
Of reform in its last state convention.
In other Words every possible candidate
but Mr. Blaine seems to comprehend the
strength Of the reform sentiment | agree
with You in thinking that the opposition to
Mr.. Blaine's nomination is far stronger
among the people than the tone Of the Re
publican journals indicates. He has great
skill in conciliating the craft Of journal
ism, Of which he has so long been a mem
Der. He is strong in the most partisan cir
cles which are active and interested in his
nomination. There is great need, there
fore, that the more thoughtful and indie
pendent voters of the country should firm
" and clearly declare themselves. Senator
Edmunds knows Mr.. Blaine thoroughly,
and on moral and political grounds he con
scientiously refused him his active support.
The promoters Of Mr.. Blaine's candidacy,
attempted, in revenge, to defeat the reGlec-
ton of the Vermont Senator and secured,
| believe, the influence of several Vermont
journals. The return of Mr.. Edmunds to
the Senate by nearly the unanimous Repub-
lican vote, was an emphatic endorsement
of his course.
Why should not the Republicans of
Vermont now when the public welfare
and the safety of the party in which
they have faith require it, have the cour-
age of their convictions and boldly and
periodically declare the inability they feel
to support a candidate who can only lead
them TO disaster Who are more able than
the Republicans of Vermont to be true to
their real convictions If they are not
ready to declare a preference for any par
ticuar candidate, they may at least affirm
their purpose to stand for the great princi-
| pies upon which, in the view of the true
statesmen of their party, the safety of the
country depends.
In New York the more thoughtful and
Independent Republicans rebelled against
Mr.. Conkling and his machine, crushing
him under its ruins The result there was
that civil service reform policy was es
tablished by statute in 1888 with the most
salutary results To this law and policy
the Republican party of New York has
during the present month, at its state con
vention, formally repledged itself In
Maine, under Mr.. Blaine's leadership, the
old despotic, partisan system, of which he
and Mr.. Conkling were so long the riva
champions, still prevails. Have we forgot
the civil war it threatened few years ago
For the new spirit in politics Mr.. Conkling
expresses his scorn by retirement, and Mr.
Blaine his hostility by enjoining silence up
on the Republicans of Maine concerning it
All the other Republican candidates, re
peat, have approved the policy of New
York. and the Democrats have defeated
Mr.. Blaine and elected a representative Of
the New York reform policy by accepting
it, however reluctantly. Is it really diff
cult question to decide whether the safety
and duty of the Republican party are t,
follow the example of Maine or that o
New York Has it no statesmen who dar,
declare publicly the views they are know
to express privately
DoRMAN b. EATON.
Brattleboro, Vt, Oct 10, 1887.